PDF format
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has a 49 - 28 percent job approval rating, down slightly from his
53 - 26 percent score March 27 and his lowest score in two years, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today.

Voters say 44 - 12 percent, however, that questions about Gov. McDonnell's ties to a
campaign donor are "just politics" rather than a "major issue."

McDonnell's job approval is the lowest since the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-
ack) University began polling Virginia voters on state matters two years ago, and it is the first
time he has been below 50 percent in his job approval. The governor, however, still has positive
job approval and favorability ratings.

"The relationship between Gov. Bob McDonnell and businessman Jonnie Williams Sr.
has been a major story in the news media, but seems so far to have little impact on voters' views
of the governor, which remain relatively positive," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "That could change depending on developments, but at
this point many more voters see the matter as 'just politics' than as a major issue. The governor
retains a favorable view in the eyes of Virginia voters."

McDonnell's job approval is 67 - 14 percent among Republicans and 54 - 27 percent
among independent voters, while Democrats disapprove 41 - 31 percent. That reflects small
movement downward among his fellow Republicans and among independent voters. On March
27 his approval rating was 73 - 14 among Republicans and 56 - 22 percent among
independents, with Democratic disapproval at 42 - 33 percent.

Among Republicans, 46 percent see the focus on the McDonnell-Williams relationship as
just politics, while 7 percent see it as a major issue. Independent voters agree 51 - 12 percent, as
do Democrats 35 - 16 percent.

While 57 percent of Virginia voters have read or heard about the McDonnell-Williams
relationship, most still don't know much about it.

Among all Virginia voters, 12 percent think McDonnell engaged in serious wrongdoing
while 6 percent said it was not serious and 16 percent say he has not engaged in wrongdoing at
all. The remaining 63 percent do not know enough about the issue to make a judgment.

President Barack Obama's job approval rating has inched up a bit in the Old Dominion to
a split 49 - 47 percent, compared to a negative 45 - 49 percent in March.

The most popular politician in Virginia remains U.S. Sen. Mark Warner who has a
59 - 22 percent approval rating, while U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, has a 46 - 33 percent score. The
State Legislature has a slightly negative 38 - 42 percent approval rating and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
has a 37 - 17 percent positive rating.

From May 8 - 13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,286 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

4. Is your opinion of Bob McDonnell favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Virginia today;
are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
(*High also 68% Jun 2011)

23. How much have you heard or read about the relationship between Governor McDonnell and
a campaign donor who paid for the food at a wedding for the governor's daughter; a lot, a
little, or nothing at all?